better 1 of 4

Definition of betternext

better

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adverb

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

better

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noun

better

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of better
Adjective
On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better. Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023 The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Adverb
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
Here's what at-home betters should know. Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026 In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023. Lz Granderson, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
One version of the nation’s history anchors itself in the efforts to navigate those tempests, to better the imperfect tools bequeathed to us by imperfect men. Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 If the Sharks make the playoffs next season and Celebrini betters his 115-point total from this season, wouldn’t his next deal become that much more expensive? Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Walking across shiny, immaculately clean floors into the still room, a tour leads visitors to a room with the immense structures the Bakers use to make their special brand of whiskey.
    Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
  • The duo has been known to pull out all the stops for their kids’ special days.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Adverb
  • More news to know now Can our politics get any more polarized?
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 May 2026
  • Governor Lamont should return this bill to the legislature and insist on something narrower, more precise, and more consistent with constitutional protections for families.
    James R Mason, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Brown’s team submitted an affidavit to superiors at the DOJ that did not make a strong enough case to move forward with what Olsen wanted.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 1 May 2026
  • Lower-ranking officers were able to tell their superiors what wasn’t going well and argue forcefully for changing course.
    Cody Turner, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • For one thing, that extra speed—plus a spike in spin, which has allowed pitchers to throw harder while also making the ball swerve, dive, and kick—has given pitchers an even greater advantage over batters than before.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Lennard scored a late touchdown in the second quarter and had a 6-0 advantage at halftime.
    Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Havana experienced a blackout that day that exceeded 20 hours, O Levy said.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 May 2026
  • Given his experience across different racing disciplines, does anything exceed the Indy 500?
    Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • The new commissioner faces the daunting task of improving the existing jail while planning for a world without it.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Jonathan Bond finished with five saves for Houston (6-5-0), which improved to 2-3-1 on the road.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Toulouse pride themselves on a blend of youth and experience in their ranks, but this teenager was exceptional.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • This may seem especially strange given birds’ exceptional vision.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The stalemate that existed has been broken, and the Republicans now seem likely to obtain a meaningful edge heading into the midterms.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • Among the various aspects of the movie that its English title refers to, not least is the unhinged rampage Lina unleashes at a couple of schoolgirls, a gringa loca on the razor’s edge.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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